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As a Member of Congress and Attorney General of New Mexico, Tom Udall has earned a reputation as a principled leader who has the integrity to do what is right for New Mexico.

In the House, Tom wrote and passed a bill to establish a national renewable energy standard, like we have in New Mexico, to create good jobs, reinvigorate our economy and reduce global warming. He has been a champion of expanding preventive health care. He voted against the Iraq War and has called for the responsible redeployment of our troops out of Iraq. Tom has also consistently championed tougher ethics laws both as Attorney General and in Congress where he voted to create an independent commission to investigate corruption among members of Congress.

Tom Udall was born to Stewart and the late Lee Udall in Tucson, Arizona on May 18, 1948. His family's roots in New Mexico are deep. His grandmother Louise Lee was born in Luna, NM during territorial days and was part of a ranching family in what is now Catron County. Her family used to drive cattle down the White Mountains to the railroad in Magdalena.

Tom attended Prescott College in Arizona, where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1970. He participated in the college's wilderness orientation program which taught him how to survive in the wilderness. This experience served to reinforce his childhood love for the land that was instilled in him by his father, Stewart, who was Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and was a leader in the conservation movement.

After receiving his Bachelor of Law Degree in Cambridge, England in 1975, Tom chose to make New Mexico his permanent home. He attended University of New Mexico Law School and graduated in 1977. He then served as a Law Clerk to Chief Justice Oliver Seth of the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. After that, Tom became a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's criminal division. He then worked as Chief Counsel to the New Mexico Department of Health and Environment where he fought for stronger environmental and health protections.

These experiences helped Tom realize he could personally make a difference for New Mexicans through a career in public service. In 1990, New Mexicans chose Tom as their Attorney General. Elected with broad support, he stood up and did what's right by protecting consumers against fraud and fighting for our state's most vulnerable citizens. He made fighting DWI and domestic violence a priority and working with the Legislature, enacted tougher laws against offenders. He also worked to protect consumers, especially senior citizens, from rampant telemarketing and other forms of fraud. Additionally, Tom made ethics a trademark issue, increasing transparency in government and prosecuting corrupt politicians, even members of his own party.

In 1998, Tom was elected to represent the 3rd Congressional District of New Mexico in the U.S. House of Representatives. Tom has established himself as a leader on key issues, and currently serves as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, bringing back valuable funding to important projects all across the state. He has also worked to increase well-deserved benefits for veterans and supported small businesses owners while serving on previous committees.

Tom Udall will continue to stand up and do what's right for all New Mexicans as their next U.S. Senator.

Tom is married to Jill Cooper and they have one grown daughter. In Tom's spare time he enjoys tennis, fly-fishing, mountain climbing and staying involved in his community.